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Clinic to address planter maintenance

18Mar

Writer: Kay Ledbetter

At this time of the year, producers spend significant time selecting corn hybrids and cotton varieties as well as herbicide programs. But another important annual consideration is planter maintenance, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist said.

“When we talk about planter maintenance, it’s important to realize we are talking more than just about greasing chains,” said Dr. Jourdan Bell, AgriLife Extension agronomist, Amarillo.

corn plants of different sizes with skip between them

Poor crop stands can be caused by planter malfunctions. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Dr. Jourdan Bell)

“We are talking about stand establishment and how it is affected by the mechanics of the planter, including down pressure, row cleaners, coulters, gauge wheels, opening discs and other mechanical components.”

Proper seed placement can affect the environment of the seed in the planting furrow as well as seedling vigor, she said.

“Failure to set a planter properly can cause a yield loss in corn and cotton,” she said. “Poor seed placement can cause seedlings to quickly die after germination or have poor root establishment. Generally, the variety or hybrid is blamed for yield drag, but in fact, it could be affected by the planter.”

Bell said this year she and Dr. Murilo Maeda, AgriLife Extension cotton specialist, Lubbock, are doing something new to address the growing issues with planters and planting by bringing in a private consultant, Missy Bauer with B&M Crop Consulting in Coldwater, Michigan, to discuss the various maintenance and mechanical areas that can impact crop yields.

The Texas High Plains Planter Clinic will be from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. March 29 at the Castro County Expo Center, 403 SE 4th St., Dimmitt. There will be hands-on demonstrations. The program is free, and lunch will be provided. Sponsors include Texas Corn Producers Board, Plains Cotton Growers, Channel Seed, BASF, PhytoGen Cottonseed and Pioneer Brand Seeds.

Maeda said with the rising cost of cotton seed, many producers are interested in reducing planting populations, however, unfavorable weather conditions and poor seed placement due to improper planter setting often lead to “skippy” stands.

“While cotton has an outstanding ability to compensate for the extra space between plants, that tends to delay maturity and ultimately impact fiber quality and crop yield, especially in areas north of Lubbock where season length may become limiting,” he said.

During lunch, Maeda will discuss considerations for cotton planting and Bell will discuss corn planting considerations.

Bell said while the only clinic this year is planned in Castro County, the training is needed by and intended for producers across the High Plains.

She explained down pressure, for instance, is important to help maintain a constant seeding depth. Adjustments could need to be made for individual fields according to soil texture. If the pressure is too much, the seeds could be too deep, and the seedling may not have sufficient energy to break the soil surface.

planter disc with seed visible

A worn opening disc can result in backfilling of the soil into the seed furrow. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Dr. Jourdan Bell)

Worn disc openers could result in soil backfilling into the seed furrow, which leads to incorrect seeding depth as well as poor seed-to-soil contact. Under dry West Texas conditions, Maeda said, shallow seeds either do not germinate or germinate and die if moisture is not available to maintain growth.

Very low stands can result in yield losses or plants that become very growthy he said. This often causes the cotton strippers to have to slow down, reducing harvest efficiency.

For corn, Bell said, uniform stand establishment is critical because each plant only produces one ear, so for every lost or delayed plant, yield potential drops.

Producers who are unable to attend this clinic can contact Bell at 806-677-5600, Jourdan.bell@ag.tamu.edu, or Maeda at 806-746-6101, mmaeda@ag.tamu.edu, for more information on planter maintenance and set up.

New caveats for Texas auxin herbicide training

24Jan

Writer: Kay Ledbetter

Producers will need to pick up a second round of auxin training this year if they plan to use dicamba products, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist.

In late October, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it will extend the registration of dicamba for two years for over-the-top weed control in dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybean.

The extended labels include changes to ensure these products continue to be used effectively and to address concerns about off-target movement, said Scott Nolte, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state weed specialist, College Station.

tractor spraying cotton field

Producers using auxin herbicides face new training requirements.

Initial label changes state only certified applicators may apply dicamba over the top of the crop, Nolte said. The changes also prohibit over-the-top applications 60 days after planting for cotton and 45 days for soybeans.

The new rules limit the number of over-the-top applications to two for both cotton and soybeans, and limit applications between one hour after sunrise and two hours before sunset. In counties where endangered species exist, applicators must maintain the downwind 110-foot buffer and add a 57-foot buffer around the other sides of the target field.  

Nolte warned some of these new changes may be different before the 2019 spring growing season pending 24C, additional-use, requests submitted to the Texas Department of Agriculture. If approved, the 24C labels will be available on the TDA website, www.texasagriculture.gov/RegulatoryPrograms/Pesticides.

Three dicamba products – Engenia herbicide by BASF Corporation, XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip Technology by Bayer CropScience, and DuPont FeXapan herbicide Plus VaporGrip Technology by Corteva Agriscience – are restricted-use pesticides and state-limited-use pesticides in Texas, which requires the sale to and use by certified applicators only.  

Nolte clarified that the auxin trainings are not a substitute for the state-specified certified applicator training, which is required to purchase and use restricted-use pesticides.

Also, TDA has added 2,4-D choline formulations – Enlist Duo and Enlist One for use on 2,4-D-tolerant crops – to be included in these mandatory trainings. These are state-limited-use pesticides in Texas and can only be sold to and used by certified applicators or those working under the supervision of a certified applicator.

The two-hour mandated auxin trainings for the new year will include the following topics: why do auxin herbicides require additional precautions, label requirements for approved auxin formulations, understanding temperature inversions, spray system hygiene, record keeping and using dicamba or 2,4-D in a weed management system.  

AgriLife Extension will be providing a two-hour in-person course, approved by TDA, that will fulfill the training requirements for dicamba and 2,4-D choline products and will include two continuing education units for laws and regulations.

Contact the local AgriLife Extension county agent for training locations, dates and times.

Nolte said BASF Corporation, Bayer CropScience and Corteva Agriscience also will be requesting TDA-approved training courses focusing on each company’s specific technology and will therefore only be one-hour, one CEU courses.

Water quality training October 9 in Austin will focus on Shoal Creek

27Sep

Contact: Michael Kuitu, 979-862-4457, mkuitu@tamu.edu
Joanna Wolaver, 512-565-0812, joanna@shoalcreekconservancy.org
Noel Troxclair, 512-854-9600, noel.troxclair@ag.tamu.edu

A Texas Watershed Steward workshop on water quality related to Shoal Creek will be held from 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. October 9 at the Lamar Senior Activities Center, 2874 Shoal Crest Avenue in Austin. Interested persons are also invited to attend an 11:00 a.m.-noon Shoal Creek stakeholder meeting immediately prior to the workshop.

The workshop is presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board in cooperation with the Shoal Creek Conservancy and Texas State University Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. The training is free and open to anyone interested in improving water quality in the region. Light refreshments will be provided. Participants are encouraged to preregister at the Texas Watershed Steward website at http://tws.tamu.edu.

“This training is designed to help watershed residents improve and protect their water resources by becoming involved in local watershed protection and management activities,” said Michael Kuitu, AgriLife Extension program specialist and coordinator for the Texas Watershed Steward program, College Station. Kuitu said the workshop will include an overview of water quality and watershed management in Texas, but will primarily focus on Shoal Creek.

The training will include a discussion of watershed systems along with types and sources of water pollution. There also will be a group discussion on community-driven watershed protection and management.

Shoal creek running under a stone bridge

A Watershed Protection Plan is being developed for Shoal Creek, which runs through parts of Austin. (Photo by: Ted Eubanks)

“Shoal Creek is an incredible asset of the Austin community, providing resources ranging from recreational use to flood control,” said Joanna Wolaver, Executive Director of the Shoal Creek Conservancy.

Wolaver noted that even though Shoal Creek is not designated as impaired by the state, bacteria in the creek is often reported at concentrations in excess of state standards during routine water quality monitoring. “Therefore, we are working toward developing a watershed action plan for Shoal Creek to address the challenges presented in this urban watercourse,” Wolaver added.

With funding assistance from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Shoal Creek Conservancy will work in partnership with local stakeholders and Texas State University’s Meadows Center for Water and the Environment to develop the plan. More information on this project, including how to become involved, will be presented at the workshop.

“In addition to discussing the Shoal Creek watershed, the workshop will offer a variety of continuing education credits for multiple professional disciplines,” said Noel Troxclair, AgriLife Extension agent for Travis County.

Troxclair said he wants to encourage local residents and other stakeholders to attend the workshop to gain more information about water resources and water quality improvement and protection.

Attendees of the workshop will receive a copy of the Texas Watershed Steward Handbook and a certificate of completion. The Texas Watershed Steward program offers four continuing education units in soil and water management for certified crop advisers, four units for professional engineers and certified planners, four credits for certified teachers, and two credits for nutrient management specialists. A total of four professional development hours are available for professional geoscientists. In addition, three general continuing education units are offered for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders, and four for certified landscape architects. Four continuing education credits are provided to certified floodplain managers. Four continuing education credits are also offered for each of the following Texas Commission on Environmental Quality occupational licensees: wastewater system operators, public water system operators, on-site sewage facility installers, and landscape irrigators. Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists may also earn continuing education.

“Participating in the Texas Watershed Steward program is a great opportunity to get involved and make a difference in your watershed,” said Wolaver.
The Texas Watershed Steward program is funded through a Clean Water Act §319(h) nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information on the Texas Watershed Steward program and to preregister, go to the website or contact Kuitu at 979-862-4457, mkuitu@tamu.edu; or Troxclair at 512-854-9600, noel.troxclair@ag.tamu.edu.

For more information about watershed protection efforts for Shoal Creek, visit www.shoalcreekconservancy.org/watershedplan, or contact Wolaver at 512-565-0812, joanna@shoalcreekconservancy.org.

Rainwater harvesting, turf management training Sept. 20-21 in Boerne and San Antonio

18Sep

By: AgriLife Today
Contacts: John W Smith, 979-845-2761, johnwsmith@tamu.edu
Dr. Becky Grubbs, 979-845-3041, bgrubbs@tamu.edu
Dr. Diane Boellstorff, 979-458-3562, dboellstorff@tamu.edu
Reagan Hejl, 979-845-5252, Reagan.hejl@tamu.edu
Lee Marlowe, 210-302-3624, lmarlow@sara-tx.org

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program is hosting two residential rainwater harvesting and turf management trainings in Boerne and San Antonio on Sept. 20 and 21, respectively.

The first training, in collaboration with the Upper Cibolo Creek Watershed Partnership, will be from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road in Boerne.

The second training, in collaboration with the San Antonio River Authority, will be from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 21 at the river authority, 100 E. Guenther St. in San Antonio. Lunch will be provided at the San Antonio training.

in-ground sprinkler watering lawn grass

The Healthy Lawns Healthy Waters Program is hosting trainings in Boerne and San Antonio. (Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo by Kay Ledbetter)

Both events are free and open to the public. Participants at either training can have their soil tested free of charge. Both trainings will review how to access soil test results and provide nutrient recommendations.

The Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program aims to improve and protect surface water quality by enhancing awareness and knowledge of best management practices, coordinators said. At the trainings, attendees will learn about the design and installation of residential rainwater harvesting systems and appropriate turf and landscape species based on local conditions.

Seating is limited, so attendees for either program are requested to register at the Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters website.

Those attending the program in Boerne should register at https://hlhw.tamu.edu/workshops/2018/september-20-boerne/. Those planning to attend the San Antonio program should register at https://hlhw.tamu.edu/workshops/2018/sept-21-san-antonio/.

Those interested in either program can also contact John Smith, AgriLife Extension program specialist, College Station, at 979-845-2761 or johnwsmith@tamu.edu.

Dr. Becky Grubbs, AgriLife Extension turfgrass specialist, College Station, said management practices such as using irrigation delivery equipment, interpreting soil tests and understanding nutrient applications can help reduce runoff and provide additional landscape irrigation water.

“These trainings can improve participants’ understanding of rainwater harvesting and landscape management,” she said.

Dr. Diane Boellstorff, AgriLife Extension water resource specialist, College Station, said proper fertilizer application and efficient water irrigation can protect and improve water quality in area creeks and collecting rainwater for lawn and landscape needs reduces stormwater runoff.

Reagan Hejl, research associate in the soil and crop sciences department, College Station, said soil samples will be submitted to the AgriLife Extension Soil, Water and Forage Testing Lab in College Station for routine analysis, including pH, conductivity, nitrate-nitrogen and other parameters.

Residents can pick up a soil sample bag with sampling instructions from the AgriLife Extension office in Kendall County, 210 E. San Antonio Ave., Suite 9 in Boerne or at the AgriLife Extension office in Bexar County, 3355 Cherry Ridge St., Suite 212 in San Antonio.

For more information about the Upper Cibolo Creek Watershed Protection Plan, go to https://www.ci.boerne.tx.us/147/Upper-Cibolo-Creek-Watershed.

At the San Antonio program, Lee Marlowe, sustainable landscape ecologist at San Antonio River Authority, will discuss updates on watershed protection plan activities to improve and protect water quality in the Upper San Antonio River.

For more information about the Upper San Antonio River Watershed Protection Plan, go to https://www.bexarflood.org/#!/main/map

Funding for the Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program is provided in part through a Clean Water Act grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The project is managed by the Texas Water Resources Institute, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.

4th Annual Women’s Stewardship Conference in Fredericksburg October 1-2

6Sep

By: Beth Ann Luedeker
Contact: Matt Brown, matthew.brown@tamu.edu

Maureen Frank in front of a audience

Maureen Frank, Texas AgriLife Extension, spoke to attendees at the 2017 conference about birds and birding.

The fourth annual women’s stewardship conference sponsored by the Bennett Trust and Texas A&M AgriLife will be held October 1 -2 at The Inn on Barron’s Creek in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Tiffany Lashmet in front of room addressing a group of women

Tiffany Dowell Lashmet spoke to 2017 attendees about agriculture laws. She will be returning this year to provide another entertaining and informative presentation.

This year’s conference, “Empowering Women – New Stewardship Traditions”, will include presentations and discussions of land stewardship followed by an outdoor session and tours of agribusinesses owned and/or run by women.

Day one of the conference will include presentations on topics from both traditional and non-traditional agriculture. This year’s agenda includes small ruminants, horses, bee keeping, birding, prescribed burning, agriculture finance, agriculture law and more.

Following breakfast on day two, we will travel to a nearby ranch where attendees will rotate between different activities – plant identification, animal track and scat identification, skeet shooting and archery. Professionals will provide instruction in safety and operation of shotguns and bows before allowing the participants an opportunity to test their marksmanship.

women with animal track molds on a truck tailgate

Analiese Scoggin showed participants a variety of animal tracks and scat before leading the group through the woods to see natural evidence of wildlife.

“The afternoon tours will include businesses we have not been to before,” said Matt Brown, conference organizer. “We will stop at Bridget’s Basket in Hunt, Texas, where we will eat lunch, and then travel to a couple other operations which we are still finalizing.”

instructor showing proper way to hold a bow and arrow

Larry Petty of Kerr County 4-H Shooting Sports provided archery instruction at the 2017 Bennett women’s conference.

The conference began in 2015 to meet the need of the increasing number of women who are becoming landowners. It offers women an opportunity to learn in a comfortable atmosphere, among other women of similar interests.

The two-day conference costs just $75, including all meals, break refreshments and tour transportation.
More information can be found on the website – https://agrilife.org/bennetttrust/
Register at: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/productListingDetails/2618

women with shotguns

Several of the state’s top female shooters were on hand to provide shotgun instruction and give the women an opportunity to try their hands at skeet shooting.

Rancher’s Leasing Workshop

29Jun

Contact: Tiffany Lashmet, tdowell@tamu.edu or 806-677-5681

 

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has scheduled three workshops focused on the grazing, hunting and livestock leases for this fall. These half-day seminars provide information beneficial to both landowners and lessees, and are offered free of charge.

Tiffany Lashmet, AgriLife Extension Specialist – Agriculture Law, grew up in a ranching family before attending law school and understands both sides of the leasing equation.  In her straightforward and often humorous way, she presents leasing laws without the dry, confusing language typically associated with lawyers.

Participants leave with a better understanding of what questions to ask and how to ask them, as well as a copy of the Ranchers’ Agricultural Leasing Handbook. This book covers leasing laws and contains checklists and sample lease language.

Workshops are being offered September 7, 12:00 – 4:00 at the Brazos Center in College Station; September 18, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Office; and November 8, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at McLennan County Community College in Waco.

Though the workshops are free, registration is preferred to ensure enough materials are available. AgriLife Extension is an equal opportunity program provider. If special accommodations are needed, Tiffany should be notified at least five days prior to the event so arrangements can be made.

For registration information contact Tiffany Lashmet – tdowell@tamu.edu or (806) 677-5681
Rancher Leasing workshop flier with workshop dates and contact information

Spring Ranch Management University benefits landowners

30Apr

Story and Photographs By: Beth Ann Luedeker
Contact: Dr. Larry Redmon – l-redmon@tamu.edu

Dr. Larry Redmon in front of RMU classroom

Dr. Larry Redmon, who developed and coordinates Ranch Management University, discussed forage management with the participants.

 

There was a full house for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s spring Ranch Management University, held April 2-6 in College Station.

Dr. Mowrer in a soil pit

Extension Specialist Jake Mowrer demonstrated soil horizons and discussed many aspects of soil health during the 5-day workshop.

The five-day workshop under the direction of Dr. Larry Redmon, Soil and Crop Sciences Associate Department Head for Extension, accepts only 50 participants and usually fills up quickly.

New Landowners, potential landowners, landowners looking for a refresher and at least one self-proclaimed “old school” cattleman gathered at the Animal Science complex near the Brazos River to hear Extension specialists discuss a wide variety of information. Presentations included land stewardship practices, wildlife management techniques, pond management strategies, horse and cattle management and much more.

Dr. Jennifer Zoller in Ranch Management University classroom

During her session on horse production, Dr. Jennifer Zoller introduced participants to the Texas Horse Health App – a free app for mobile devices which became available in January.

“My wife, son and I had a wonderful experience at RMU and we all learned ‘a whole bunch’, as we say in Texas”  said Richard Hurst, whose family came down from Irving, TX for the workshop. “The information was timely and thorough in all areas. I have never encountered folks who are so willing to share information and support new ranchers.”

people with soil in their hands

Participants had the opportunity to get their hands dirty and learn how to hand-texture soils.

Most of the week is spent in a classroom setting, but there are also daily demonstrations and hands-on activities.

As he watched the cattle handling demonstration, one participant said, “I have been doing this a long time. My wife says I’m old school and that’s why she dragged me here.”

He examined the Ral-Gro® gun, something he had not used before, and asked several questions before he continued.

“They have a lot of good information, and I have learned several new things this week,” he said.

Then he smiled and added, “It’s also been nice to see that I’ve been doing some things right.”

Ranch Management University takes place twice each year. Spring RMU typically occurs in April, with the Fall RMU taking place in October.  While it is geared toward newer landowners, the presentations are beneficial for all landowners or future landowners.

People interested attending the workshop may contact Dr. Larry Redmon, l-redmon@tamu.edu or Linda Francis, l-francis@tamu.edu.

First Bennet Land Stewardship Conference in San Angelo

5Mar

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Josh Blanek, 432-266-0677, j-blanek@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO – Organizers urge those with a passion for proper land management of the Edwards Plateau region to mark their calendars May 3-4 for the Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference at the McNease Convention Center, 501 Rio Concho Drive in San Angelo.

cow and calf in west Texas pasture

Integrating livestock and wildlife will be one of the sessions held at the stewardship conference in San Angelo. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Steve Byrns)

“A similar conference is held each spring in Kerrville, but this is the first time we’ve hosted one here in San Angelo,” said Josh Blanek, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for agriculture and natural resources in Tom Green County. “This program will center on proper land stewardship of the Edwards Plateau as specified by Eskell and Ruth Bennett, who entrusted the endowment for use by AgriLife Extension for that purpose.”

Individual registration is $75. Registration includes all training materials and meals. To learn more about the Bennett Trust see http://bit.ly/2rnIhtf . More information will also be available at that site as plans are finalized in coming weeks, or contact Blanek at 325-659-6523 or j-blanek@tamu.edu .

The first day, which starts with breakfast and registration at 8 a.m. at the convention center, will include presentations on livestock guardian dogs, agricultural law issues, prescribed fire and individual brush management practices, ranch water resource development, solar power for water resources and ranch rainwater harvesting.

Afternoon topics will include Edwards Plateau geology, integrating livestock and wildlife, and introduced grasses for the region. The day’s activities will end with dinner and entertainment at the Buffalo Social Club at the San Angelo Stock Show Fairgrounds.

The second day will consist of a ranch tour following a 7:30 a.m. breakfast. The tour stops are designed to demonstrate the previous day’s classroom educational presentation. The stops will include a livestock guardian dog demonstration, examples of livestock/wildlife compatibility, water resources, individual plant treatment and, prescribed fire and a look at improved grasses.

Ranch Management University to be held in April

5Mar

Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Larry Redmon, 979-845-4826, l-redmon@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Ranchers wanting to brush up on or learn the fundamentals of soils and soil fertility, forage establishment, pasture management and utilization by livestock can attend the spring Ranch Management University April 2-6 in College Station.

The Ranch Management University is an intensive five-day event targeting new ranchers and landowners, said Dr. Larry Redmon, Texas A&M University soil and crop sciences associate department head and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program leader, College Station.

Ranch Management University is held each spring and fall at the G. Rollie White Visitors’ Center, 7707 Raymond Stotzer Parkway on the Texas A&M campus.

Dr. Jake Mowrer in soil pit showing soil layers to a group of people.

Ranch Management University participants learn about soil characteristics, soil sampling and more during the week-long course.

Registration is $500 and attendance is limited to 40 people, Redmon said. To register online and for more information, go to http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu and enter “ranch management” in the search window.

Online registration will end March 23. All meals and snacks and a Ranch Management University workbook with all presentations, contact information, glossary and a flash drive containing hundreds of relevant publications are covered by the fee.

The course will begin at 12:20 p.m. April 2 and conclude at noon April 6. Enrollment is limited to the first 50 individuals to ensure there is adequate opportunity for interaction with faculty, Redmon said.

“If you are interested in attending this special workshop, please contact us immediately,” he said.

Some of the subject matter that will be covered during the event will be:

– Basic livestock management practices such as castrating and vaccinating calves.

– Grazing management, stocking rates and body-condition scoring.

– White-tailed deer, turkey, quail, feral hogs and farm ponds.

– Field demonstrations of various how-to methods of soil sampling, planting, calibrating sprayers and inoculating legume seed.

– Various forage species, including Bermuda grass, small grains, annual ryegrass and clovers.

– Demonstrations covering deer necropsy, hog trap management and pond fisheries management.

Plenty of time will be allowed for interaction with Texas A&M University faculty with expertise and experience in all management facets of the soil-plant-animal interface and wildlife management, Redmon said.

For more information, contact Linda Francis in the Texas A&M soil and crop sciences department at 979-845-2425 or l-francis@tamu.edu.

Jan 26 Water quality training in Brenham to focus on Mill Creek watershed

18Dec

Contacts: Michael Kuitu, 979-862-4457, mkuitu@tamu.edu

Kara Matheney, 979-277-6212, kjmatheney@ag.tamu.edu

Jennifer Cary, 979-862-8070, millcreek@tamu.edu

BRENHAM – A Texas Watershed Steward workshop on water quality and management related to the Mill Creek watershed will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. January 26.

The workshop will be held in the Washington County Fairgrounds Sales Facility, located at 1385 Old Independence Rd in Brenham. It will be presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.

“This workshop is designed to assist watershed residents improve and protect their water resources by becoming involved in Mill Creek water quality management activities,” said Michael Kuitu, AgriLife Extension program specialist and coordinator for the Texas Watershed Steward program, College Station. “The workshop, professional continuing education credits, and more are free and open to anyone interested in protecting water quality in the region.

Doors will open at 12:30 p.m., and a free lunch will be provided by the Washington County Extension office to attendees who preregister for the workshop by end-of-day, Wednesday, January 24.

Participants are encouraged to preregister at the Texas Watershed Steward website at http://tws.tamu.edu.

A discussion on watershed systems, types and sources of water pollution, and ways to improve and protect water quality through the application of best management practices will be included in the program. There also will be a group discussion on community-driven watershed protection and management.

“The workshop will include an overview of water quality and watershed management in Texas, but will focus primarily on local water quality initiatives, including current efforts to help improve and protect the Mill Creek watershed,” said Kara Matheney, AgriLife Extension agent for Washington County. “It will address local water resources but will be applicable to all waters in the region.”

“The Mill Creek watershed provides water for wildlife habitat and supports agricultural and recreational activities.” said Jennifer Cary, AgriLife Extension program specialist and watershed coordinator for Mill Creek.  “It truly is an important water resource and tributary of the Brazos River.”

Attendees of the workshop will receive a copy of the Texas Watershed Steward Handbook and a certificate of completion. The Texas Watershed Steward program offers four continuing education units in soil and water management for certified crop advisers, four units for

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